COD (0-7) rising to the challenge of their opponents as they fell to San Diego City and Moorpark in the Grossmont Tournament at Grossmont College in El Cajon.
The Roadrunners opened up the Grossmont Tournament with a game against the defending state champions, the San Diego City Knights (11-2). They kept up with the Knights finishing the first half, down by five at the half, 44-39, but struggled in the second half falling 99-77.
Desert received some great performances from freshman guard Andre Allen (Chino Don Lugo), freshman forward Arion Stevenson (Moreno Valley Canyon Springs) and freshman forward Sylvester Franklin (Palm Springs H.S.). Allen led the team in points (23), rebounds (8) and steals (2), going 8 for 13 shooting from the field and going 7 for 10 from the free-throw line. Stevenson contributed 16 points shooting 6 of 12 from the field with a perfect 4 of 4 from the charity stripe and Franklin came off of the bench to add 7 points contributing a steal and a rebound in the opener.
Desert faced the Moorpark Raiders for the second time this season, down by 11 points going into the break 36-25, but a strong second half by the Raiders put Desert in a bind, with the home side falling, 72-47.
Starting sophomore guard Philippe Salawa (Fontant AB Miller) led the team with 9 points, a block, an assist and two steals going 4 for 9 shooting from the field with a shot from beyond the arc. Freshman guard Donald Nesby (Rialto H.S.) had a strong performance putting up 8 points on 2 of 3 shooting from the field with a perfect 4 for 4 from the free-throw line, leading the team with 10 rebounds. Sophomore guard Shaquille Russell (Reseda Cleveland) came off the bench to contribute 8 points with a block and a steal.
Photo by Britney Vargas and story by Ashtyn Lyneis (COD Sports Information)
Information, Photos & Story provided by COD Sports Information.
